Reflective tag and polarized light sensor for transmitting information

ABSTRACT

Polarized light characteristics are detected and mapped to an application, such as product identification. A process of reflecting a directed light emission through a polarizing filter, and sensing the processed light emission having particular characteristics is provided. The characteristics of the sensed light emission is associated with a “color code” that is cross-referenced within a database of color codes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of informationtransmission, and more particularly to color-coded information systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Polarization is a property of certain waves that they oscillate withmore than one orientation. Electromagnetic waves, such as light, exhibitpolarization. In a light wave, both the electric field and magneticfield are oscillating, but in different directions. The oscillation ofthese fields may be in a single direction (linear polarization), or thefield may rotate at the optical frequency (circular, or elliptical,polarization). Where the field rotates, the direction of rotation, andthus the specified polarization, may be either clockwise or counterclockwise.

The most common optical materials (such as glass) are isotropic, meaningthey simply preserve the polarization of a wave, but do notdifferentiate between polarization states. Some classes of materialsknown as birefringent, or optically active, generally modify a wave'spolarization, or affect wave propagation passing through the material.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the present invention, a method, a computer programproduct, and a system includes: detecting a first light emission havinga first set of characteristics reflected from a target area on a surfaceof an object, and determining a color code based, at least in part, onthe first light emission. At least the detecting and determining stepsare performed by computer software running on computer hardware. Thefirst light emission is a polarized reflection from the target area of asecond light emission having a second set of characteristics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a system accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method performed, at least in part, bythe first embodiment system; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a machine logic (for example, software)portion of the first embodiment system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Polarized light characteristics are detected and mapped to anapplication, such as product identification. A process of directing alight having particular characteristics, reflecting the directed lightthrough a polarizing filter, and sensing the processed light havingparticular characteristics is provided. The characteristics of thesensed light is associated with a “color code” that is cross-referencedwithin a database of color codes. The present invention may be a system,a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer programproduct may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) havingcomputer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processorto carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium, or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network, and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers, and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network, and forwards the computer readableprogram instructions for storage in a computer readable storage mediumwithin the respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer,or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture, including instructions which implement aspectsof the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagramblock or blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus, or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions, or acts, or carry out combinations of special purposehardware and computer instructions.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference tothe Figures. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating variousportions of light sensor system 100, in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention, including: light sensor computer 200;communication unit 202; processor set 204; input/output (110) interfaceset 206; memory device 208; persistent storage device 210; displaydevice 212; external device set 214; sensor 216; light source 218;polarizing filter(s) 220; random access memory (RAM) devices 230; cachememory device 232; program 300; and color code database 366.

Several portions of system 100 will now be discussed in the followingparagraphs.

System 100 may be a laptop computer, tablet computer, netbook computer,personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant(PDA), a smart phone, or any programmable electronic device. Program 300is a collection of machine readable instructions and/or data that isused to create, manage, and control certain software functions that willbe discussed in detail below.

System 100 is shown as a block diagram with many double arrows. Thesedouble arrows (no separate reference numerals) represent acommunications fabric, which provides communications between variouscomponents of system 100. This communications fabric can be implementedwith any architecture designed for passing data and/or controlinformation between processors (such as microprocessors, communicationsand network processors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, andany other hardware component within a system. For example, thecommunications fabric can be implemented, at least in part, with one ormore buses.

Memory 208 and persistent storage 210 are computer readable storagemedia. In general, memory 208 can include any suitable volatile ornon-volatile computer readable storage media. It is further noted that,now and/or in the near future: (i) external device(s) 214 may be able tosupply, some or all, memory for sub-system 100; and/or (ii) devicesexternal to system 100 may be able to provide memory for system 100.

Program 300 is stored in persistent storage 210 for access and/orexecution by one or more of the respective computer processors 204,usually through one or more memories of memory 208. Persistent storage210: (i) is at least more persistent than a signal in transit; (ii)stores the program (including its soft logic and/or data), on a tangiblemedium (such as magnetic or optical domains); and (iii) is substantiallyless persistent than permanent storage. Alternatively, data storage maybe more persistent and/or permanent than the type of storage provided bypersistent storage 210.

Program 300 may include both machine readable and performableinstructions, and/or substantive data (that is, the type of data storedin a database). In this particular embodiment, persistent storage 210includes a magnetic hard disk drive. To name some possible variations,persistent storage 210 may include a solid state hard drive, asemiconductor storage device, read-only memory (ROM), erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, or any othercomputer readable storage media that is capable of storing programinstructions or digital information.

The media used by persistent storage 210 may also be removable. Forexample, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage 210.Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, andsmart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer onto anothercomputer readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage210.

Communications unit 202, in these examples, provides for communicationswith other data processing systems or devices external to system 100. Inthese examples, communications unit 202 includes one or more networkinterface cards. Communications unit 202 may provide communicationsthrough the use of either, or both, physical and wireless communicationslinks. Any software modules discussed herein may be downloaded to apersistent storage device (such as persistent storage device 210)through a communications unit (such as communications unit 202).

I/O interface set 206 allows for input and output of data with otherdevices that may be connected locally in data communication with servercomputer 200. For example, I/O interface set 206 provides a connectionto external device set 214. External device set 214 will typicallyinclude devices such as a keyboard, keypad, a touch screen, and/or someother suitable input device. External device set 214 can also includeportable computer readable storage media such as, for example, thumbdrives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memory cards. Softwareand data used to practice embodiments of the present invention, forexample, program 300, can be stored on such portable computer readablestorage media. In these embodiments the relevant software may (or maynot) be loaded, in whole or in part, onto persistent storage device 210via I/O interface set 206. I/O interface set 206 also connects in datacommunication with display device 212.

Display device 212 provides a mechanism to display data to a user andmay be, for example, a computer monitor or a smart phone display screen.

The programs described herein are identified based upon the applicationfor which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of the presentinvention. However, it should be appreciated that any particular programnomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus the presentinvention should not be limited to use solely in any specificapplication identified and/or implied by such nomenclature.

Program 300 operates to send and receive emitted light for the purposeof determining a color code associated with the received light. Theinformation corresponding to a given color code is retrieved from colorcode database 366. Examples of color code related information are: (i)product identification; (ii) component parts information; (iii)instructions; (iv) animal identification; (iv) food characteristics;and/or (v) recycling information.

Some embodiments of the present invention recognize the following facts,potential problems and/or potential areas for improvement with respectto the current state of the art: (i) miniaturization of laser photodiodes allows manufacturing of small and powerful light scanners; (ii)nanomaterial research combines color reflection and the change ofpolarization during surface reflection; (iii) pigments withnanomaterials that clearly produce a pre-determined polarization outcomemay be applied to some embodiments of the present invention; (iv)reduced color tag size, while maintaining accurate color reading resultsfrom a reasonable distance will support implementation of someembodiments of the present invention; (v) highly efficient polarizationfilters used at the scanner sensor will support implementation of someembodiments of the present invention; (vi) efficient polarizationfilters integrated into the design of the reflected-light receiver chipwill support implementation of some embodiments of the presentinvention; (vii) manufacturing an RGB sensor of very tiny size willsupport implementation of some embodiments of the present invention;(viii) produce a colored reading indicator of the full RGB lightspectrum that illustrates the color of the tag will supportimplementation of some embodiments of the present invention; (ix)reducing an “Arduino” board to a miniature size that fits into apen-styled housing will support implementation of some embodiments ofthe present invention; and/or (x) creating an industrial design projectfor a handy and stylish enclosure, a “pen-like housing.” will supportimplementation of some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows flowchart 250 depicting a first method according to thepresent invention. FIG. 3 shows program 300 for performing at least someof the method steps of flowchart 250. This method and associatedsoftware will now be discussed, over the course of the followingparagraphs, with extensive reference to FIG. 2 (for the method stepblocks) and FIG. 3 (for the software blocks).

Processing begins at step S255, where light module 355, emits light fromlight source 218 through polarizing filter(s) 220 such that polarizedlight is directed to a target area, or color tag (not shown). In thisexample, the light source is light emitting diode (LED) and the emittedlight is directed toward the target area. Alternatively, light isemitted by an incandescent light. Alternatively, light is emitted inanother manner known in the art, such as through gas discharge lamps(neon lamps), lasers, fluorescent lights, and/or halogen lights.Alternatively, the light source is located in a pre-determined positionand the target area is placed into the emitted light. In thisembodiment, locating the target area within the emitted light isperformed by an automated machine. Alternatively, a human user sees thatthe target area is exposed to the emitted light. The light directed tothe target area is polarized according to a particular design. In thisexample, light polarization characteristics are known at light em1ss10n.

Processing proceeds to step S260, where detect light module 360,detects, with light sensor 219, polarized light reflected from thetarget area. The target area polarizes the light directed to it. In thisembodiment, the target area is a plastic film having light polarizingsurface characteristics that reflects a certain color when lighted by apolarized light source. Alternatively, the target area is modified witha nanomaterial that has light polarizing characteristics that reflects acertain color when lighted by a white non-polarized light source.Alternatively, the target area is a region of colored ink that reflectsa certain color when certain polarized light is directed to its surface.Regardless of the type of light directed to the target area, thereflected light is polarized according to a predetermined design, suchthat detection of the reflected polarized light is significant.

As discussed above, some embodiments of the present invention emit whitelight that is polarized during reflection of the light over the targetarea. Alternatively, the light source emits light having a pre-definedpolarization characteristic(s) such that the reflected light haspre-determined characteristics according to the design of theidentification tag, or information tag, when reflecting the light havinga pre-defined polarization characteristic(s). Color reflection in theidentification tag, or target area, is triggered by a surface pigmentthat produces an RGB color code reading. In this embodiment, the targetarea is a small colored spot of approximately one square millimeter thatis painted over the surface of the object to be identified. Further, inthis embodiment, the emitted light originates from a white laser sourcethat combines three lasers diodes, giving the reader a wider spectra.

Some embodiments of the present invention use an electronic sensor, suchas sensor 216, for high-accuracy RGB code reading that acts in a largecolor spectrum. The reading from the sensor is both corrected anddetermined by computing algorithm. Further, in some embodiments of thepresent invention, eventual deviations are adjusted in the colorspectral readings.

Some embodiments of the present invention produce light polarizationwith a coating on the information tag area, or target area. The coating,such as a plastic film or reflective surface, differentiates the tagarea from the underlying material. The set of polarized lightcharacteristics identifies the painted surface as a target area. In someembodiments, the coating is a nanomaterial surface structure. Polarizedlight characteristics may include: (i) color; (ii) linear direction;(iii) circular direction; (iv) elliptical direction; (v) intensity; (vi)angle; (vii) direction of propagation; (viii) amplitude; and/or (ix)phase.

Some embodiments of the present invention invoke an active detectionprocess, or scanning process, that supports tag-based information by:(i) direct object viability; and (ii) reflection of certain emittedlight. When the emitted light strikes the target area, the reflectedlight crosses a polarization filter adjacent the target area. In thatway, unwanted light spectrum reflected by other sources near the targetarea is reduced. For example, a surface of an underlying material willreflect unwanted light spectrum with respect to the reflected light fromthe target area. The polarization filter located adjacent, or nearby,the target area reduces the reflection of unwanted light so that only asingle pre-determined color corresponding to identifying information isreflected back from the target area.

Processing proceeds to step S265, where color code module 365 determinesa color code that corresponds, according to color code database 366, tothe light detected by light sensor 216. The characteristics of thelight, such as the spectral information, is identified by the sensor andtransmitted to the color code module.

In this example, light sensor system 100 is in the form similar to thatof a pen. It may be referred to as a color reader pen. Alternatively,the sensor system is separated into two, or more, components such thatthe light source is physically separated from the light sensor, and soforth. The two, or more, components may communicate over a network in awired and/or wireless environment.

Further, in this embodiment, the detected color is displayed in atranslucent plastic ring, which is an integrated part of the sensorcasing. Also, the digital code, a red-green-blue (RGB) color code, istransmitted to a mobile device (not shown) by Bluetooth communication.(Note: the term “BLUETOOTH” may be subject to trademark rights invarious jurisdictions throughout the world and are used here only inreference to the products or services properly denominated by the marksto the extent that such trademark rights may exist.) Alternatively, nocolor is displayed. Alternatively, the color is displayed on a displaydevice electrically connected to the sensor. Alternatively, the digitalcode for the color is transmitted over a network (not shown) byconnecting the sensor to a USB cable interface.

Processing proceeds to step S270, where mapping module 370 maps thecolor code, determined in step S265, to an application according tocolor code database 366.

In one exemplary embodiment, a color tag is made of a colored spothaving a surface area of one square millimeter. The color reading isaccomplished in the entire light spectrum with three parallel sensorsred-green-blue (RGB). The RGB color is identified within a reasonabletolerance and is mapped to the detected color code. For example, tomention an application scenario, the detected color is mapped to a listof trash categories with approximately 200 types of numeric codes. Thefinal product, in this embodiment, is a portable RGB sensor packed intoa pen-like device capable of connecting to a cell phone or a tabletthrough Bluetooth technology. Alternatively, the device connects toperipheral devices via a USB cable interface. In this exemplaryembodiment, the sensor is integrated into a pen-like case including: (i)a signaling color ring-like component for visual feedback; (ii) a groupof three LEDs; (iii) a translucent ring, confirming successful dataacquisition and/or the status of the data acquisition; and (iv) readingfrom the color tag.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide for color detectionfrom reflections of very small tags, or tag areas, where the informationtag is sensitive to certain light polarization characteristics. That is,light sources with white, or unmatched polarization, are filtered at thelight source so that the light striking the identification tag ispolarized according to a pre-determined design.

One use case for an information tag is where a tag is placed on a clearplastic bottle containing a commercial product. The tag does not changethe appearance of the bottle when viewed by the human eye. When a colorreader pen directs polarized light at the tag, it reads the reflectedpolarized light from the tag. The identified color is cross-referencedto a color code, which links to corresponding retail information for theproduct inside the bottle.

Some embodiments of the present invention use attenuation of lightreadings reflected by the color tag. Further, some embodiments use lightpolarization characteristics at light emission, during light reflectionat the tag surface, and for ambient light filtering at the receivingcolor sensor for convey information in a detected color. Someembodiments of the present invention use an emitting light source havingknown characteristics.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a method for usinginformation received from an identification tag in real time. The methodincludes: scanning a predetermined area of an object representative ofthe identification tag with an optical scanner wherein a light emittedby the optical scanner illuminates a portion of the predetermined areaand crosses a polarization filter to reduce an unwanted light spectrumreflected by other sources, receiving a reflection of the light emittedthrough the polarization filter at a receiver associated with theoptical scanner, wherein the receiver is sensitive to a predeterminedrange of light polarization characteristics of the light reflected,identifying spectral information in the light reflected, identifying acolor code within a predetermined tolerance contained within spectralinformation identified, and mapping the color code identified to anapplication.

Some embodiments of the present invention may include one, or more, ofthe following features, characteristics and/or advantages: (i) a colortag is a spot that may have a surface area of one square millimeter;(ii) the color tag is very low cost when compared to conventional barcode printing; (iii) the color tag works on a smaller surface area whencompared to the surface area requirement of a bar code; (iv) someembodiments of the color detector pen do not use a digital display; (v)automated color reading process in real time; (vi) a small error ratio,by including in color code detection system that involves the detectionand filtering of polarized light; (vii) a machine readable tagapplicable on a large color spectra including ultraviolet light, visiblelight, and/or infrared light; (viii) the very small surface area of thecolor tag allows the industry to identify much smaller objects using thetag (such as a coin cell battery); (ix) uses less ink and pigments fortag printing than conventional bar code systems; (x) the color tag doesnot affect the material recycling process; (xi) stands up to a harshenvironment; (xii) versatile use for numerous applications; (xiii)employs a small tag for discrete use with a non-conspicuous appearanceprinted over the product surface of any type of material; (xiv) thecolor pen interacts easily with smart devices, appliances, and/or mobiledevices via bluetooth communication and/or USB interfaces; (xv) someembodiments require line-of-sight between the information tag and thecolor detection pen; and/or (xvi) some embodiments have a limitedreading distance between the information tag and the color sensor (forexample, a maximum distance of 20 inches may be implemented).

Some helpful definitions follow:

Present invention: should not be taken as an absolute indication thatthe subject matter described by the term “present invention” is coveredby either the claims as they are filed, or by the claims that mayeventually issue after patent prosecution; while the term “presentinvention” is used to help the reader to get a general feel for whichdisclosures herein that are believed as maybe being new, thisunderstanding, as indicated by use of the term “present invention,” istentative and provisional and subject to change over the course ofpatent prosecution as relevant information is developed and as theclaims are potentially amended.

Embodiment: see definition of “present invention” above—similar cautionsapply to the term “embodiment.”

and/or: inclusive or; for example, A, B “and/or” C means that at leastone of A or B or C is true and applicable.

User I subscriber: includes, but is not necessarily limited to, thefollowing: (i) a single individual human; (ii) an artificialintelligence entity with sufficient intelligence to act as a user orsubscriber; and/or (iii) a group of related users or subscribers.

Computer: any device with significant data processing and/or machinereadable instruction reading capabilities including, but not limited to:desktop computers, mainframe computers, laptop computers,field-programmable gate array (FPGA) based devices, smart phones,personal digital assistants (PDAs), body-mounted or inserted computers,embedded device style computers, application-specific integrated circuit(ASIC) based devices.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: determining, by an opticalscanner device, a color code based on a light emission having a set ofcharacteristics; and mapping the color code to a correspondingapplication including at least one of: component parts informationinstructions, food characteristics, and recycling information.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the set of characteristics is a first set ofcharacteristics, the light emission is a polarized reflection from atarget area of a second light emission having a second set ofcharacteristics that are different from the first set ofcharacteristics, and the second light emission is emitted by the opticalscanner device onto the target area.
 3. The method of claim 2, furthercomprising directing the second light emission such that the target areareflects the second light emission.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereinthe directing the second light emission is performed, at least in part,by the optical scanner.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein thedetermining the color code includes identifying spectral information ofthe light emission.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising mappingthe color code to a set of product identification data.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the set of characteristics includes a pre-determinedpolarization.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the light emission is apolarized reflection from a target area.
 9. The method of claim 8,further comprising detecting the polarized reflection by using a lightreceiver sensitive to a pre-determined range of light polarizationcharacteristics.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprisingdisplaying information regarding the corresponding application to adevice via communications hardware.
 11. A computer program productimplemented within an optical scanner, the computer program productcomprising a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon:first program instructions to map a color code based on a light emissionto a corresponding application including at least one of: productidentification, component parts information instructions, foodcharacteristics, and recycling information; and second programinstructions to provide or display information regarding the applicationto a device via communications hardware.
 12. The computer programproduct of claim 11, wherein the color code is determined based on adetected light emission having a set of characteristics.
 13. Thecomputer program product of claim 12, wherein the set of characteristicsis a first set of characteristics, the light emission is a polarizedreflection from a target area of a second light emission having a secondset of characteristics that are different from the first set ofcharacteristics, the second light emission being emitted by the opticalscanner device on to the target area, the computer program productfurther comprising: fourth program instructions programmed to direct thesecond light emission such that the target area reflects the secondlight emission.
 14. The computer program product of claim 13, whereindirecting the second light emission such that the target area reflectsthe second light emission is performed, at least in part, by the opticalscanner.